JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The experiences of COVID patients and their families brought to the fore the most devastating effects of family separation since the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic, and with them a call for solutions to patient isolation and its effect on family mental health.

Objective:

This study aimed to examine the recent experiences of families of critical-care patients related to anxiety and depression, satisfaction with clinician–family communication, and counseling from mental health and social services. The study also explores any correlation between these factors and family interest in mobile services designed to improve data flow and communication from patient bedside to remote families.

Methods:

Utilizing a 36-question quantitative survey approach, we collected 98 responses over six months. We selected participants by using a convenience sampling strategy. To analyze data, we applied descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results:

Participants represented a spectrum of ages, relationship to patient, and race (80% white, 18% black, and 2% other). Regarding medical reason for patient admission to the ICU, the breakdown included cancer (17%) and COVID-19 (13%) as the most frequent, followed by 12 other lesser medical conditions. While anxiety was consistently higher than depression during their loved ones ICU stay and after discharge, families expressed low satisfaction with the frequency of health updates from clinical staff and social services. Satisfaction with information communication, challenges related to social services arranging transport to visit patients, and increased anxiety and depression were all significantly correlated with family agreement that some (new) form of mobile service would provide greater connection with the bedside, that is, increased patient information flow and greater family–clinician communication.

Conclusions:

Given the identified mental health concerns and frustrations related to support for families with loved ones in the ICU, there was notable concurrence (among families) that a mobile service could provide quick and easy real-time access to patient information, communication with bedside nurses, and a direct link to social services. As such, we propose future research that would offer digital interventions that bridge the communication gap between family members and ICU bedside staff. The proposed solution should not replicate the restricted access provided by some mobile EMRs services that require proxy approval. Rather, the proposed digital solution would fill an increasing and ongoing need within critical care and other long-term care facilities that serve the patient and the families on whom they rely.